Marvel Imagines

Nervous Habit [Part Two] | Peter Q.

"Yikes," Ego said, as soon as Peter came running back inside. "What'd you do to upset a girl like that?" Peter didn't answer, instead looking wildly around for Mantis. He found her sitting outside of a white door with Drax, the both of them talking through it.

"(Y/N)," Mantis said, speaking softly, "Can we help?" When she heard no response, she sighed. As soon as Peter's footsteps were within earshot of the pair, both Mantis and Drax turned away from the door and immediately toward him.

"Dude," Drax said, standing up, "What the- How did you even upset her that badly?" Drax pointed to the door for emphasis. "How did you manage to do this? You are one guy with one mouth, and you managed to say enough stupid things for her to be sobbing by herself in her room." Drax was more making statements rather than asking questions, and all Peter could do was sigh and put his hands to his face.

"Drax, I know. You aren't helping." Peter said, but Drax wasn't having any of it. He was floored.

"Quill," He said, stopping Peter from walking toward her door, "Do you really think that she wants to see you right now?" Drax had a point, and Peter knew it.

"Well, no, but I was trying to convince myself that I could talk to her." Drax threw up his hands.

"Talking is what got you here in the first place!" He said, his decibel level just shy of yelling.

"Guys!" Mantis said, raising her voice a little to get Peter's and Drax's attention. "She's upset, not deaf. (Y/N) can still hear you." A muffled voice came from behind the door, quiet enough for only Mantis herself to hear. She nodded after a moment.

"You're welcome." She said through the door, clearly speaking to (Y/N). Mantis turned back to Peter and Drax, who had shut up and were looking a little guilty.

"She is distraught." Mantis said plainly, focusing her attention on the two men. "It is best to leave her be until her emotions stabilize and she is ready to talk." When neither man made a move to leave, she waved in the direction of the other hallway with her hand. "Go."

"Mantis, how do you know so much about... this... if you're pretty much alone all the time?" Peter asked, stalling for time so he wouldn't feel even more guilty for leaving (Y/N).

"An emotional connection is the deepest of any connection." Mantis pointed out. "As one who wears her emotions plainly when you pay attention, it was not hard to see what (Y/N) had on her mind. I saw it as soon as I pointed out that you had feelings for Gamora; she left the room as soon as she had the chance. You ignored her, Peter." Peter's eyes shut, and his head dropped into his hands. He was mentally beating himself up at the moment, and it was worse because he knew it wasn't uncalled for. No one reached out and told him that hey, it's not your fault, because it was completely his fault and he knew it. 

If Peter was really honest with himself, it certainly wasn't the first time he'd blatantly ignored (Y/N) for Gamora. When he stopped to think, he'd done it on several occasions, and it was worse because Peter knew he'd be angry, too, if it were the other way around.

"I'm the worst, aren't I?" Peter asked aloud, speaking to no one in particular.

"You were a pretty bad friend to her specifically." Drax replied, only too happy to oblige in Peter's self-deprecation. "And as close as all of us are when we aren't fighting, I think out of everyone on this ship, she cares about you the most." Peter looked up from his hands, not even sure how to properly respond.

"What am I supposed to do, Drax?" As soon as the question left his mouth, muffled yelling came from behind the door. All three on the other side jumped, but Mantis replied softly,